Christmas Fun, Library Hours and More FREE WiFi hotspots!

Looking for Christmas Ideas?

Christmas recipes
Christmas around the world
Christmas in Australia
Christmas tree farm at Moorooduc
Christmas craft
Christmas carol lyrics including Aussie Jingle Bells
The Christmas Story through Art.

Melbourne Events for Christmas and the New Year !!
Receive a regular Newsletter about Things to do in Melbourne, find those hidden gems at the White Hat website.


Christmas Hours at Yarra Plenty Libraries.
The Mobile Library will be off the road from Friday 15th Dec until Monday 29th January, 2007.

WiFi Hotspots are now available at Eltham, Ivanhoe, Watsonia and Mill Park Libraries.

December at Yarra Plenty

Yarra Plenty has a host of activities at all our Regional Branches during the month of December.

Pick up a brochure at your local Branch or download the files here:
December Events at Nillumbik Libraries (Diamond Valley and Eltham)
December Events at Whittlesea Libraries (Lalor, Thomastown & Mill Park)
December Events at Banyule Libraries (Ivanhoe, Rosanna & Watsonia)

Some of our featured events are:
RSPCA and Summer Pet care, Monday 11th December Thomastown and Tuesday 12th Dec. Lalor Library, 1.30 - 3pm

Explore Melbourne Online : be a tourist in your home town and find those hidden gems.
Thomastown Library, 14th Dec. 1-2pm (hands on!)

Pizza and new books night for Teens, Diamond Valley Library, Monday 11th Dec. 6.30-7.30pm ages 12-19yrs.

Christmas Cake Decorating Demonstration, Eltham Library, Thursday 7th Dec. 10-30 - 11.30am.

Christmas Italian Style Morning Tea, Ivanhoe Library, Friday 8th Dec. 10-12pm. Christmas songs and panettone.

Christmas Craft using recycled materials at Watsonia Library, Thursday 7th Dec. 11am - 12.30pm.

.............................and Much, Much MORE!!! Don't forget to pick up that Brochure!



The Summer Reading Club Program Blasts off with 'Read around Oz'

Collect your "Breathing with fire' kit and join in our quest to build a life sized DRAGON at our workshops in January (3, 10, 17, & 24th)

Thomastown 10-11.30am
Lalor 12.30pm - 2pm
Mill Park 3 - 4.30pm
Ivanhoe 9 - 10.30am
Watsonia 11 - 12.30pm
Rosanna 1.30pm - 3pm


Tell us what you think of our Blog?? Click on comments below.

FREE Wireless rolls out to more Branches

After a successful trial at Ivanhoe Library Wireless Internet will now be available at Mill Park and Eltham Libraries and will soon be available at Diamond Valley and Watsonia Libraries.
Just bring in your Laptop or Blackberry and connect to the Internet.

FREE Wi Fi has been a great success at Ivanhoe Library, with varied and enthusiastic use by students, teachers, lecturers and business people.
Tell us about your experiences on this Blog.


World Matters : no country is an island, history, politics, philosophy, international relations, gender, social/cultural notes.
Friday 24th November- Sunday 26th November.
The 2nd Annual series of seminars kicks off Friday night at Eltham Library,
Hear Weapons Inspector and scientists Rod Barton in conversation with Robert Manne, deliver a critique on the quality of intelligence used by the major powers to justify war in Iraq.
Edendale Farm will host all activities over the Weekend and will included an East Timorese Fundraising food stall.
Proudly support by Latrobe University and the Shire of Nillumbik.

November 26th Diamond Valley Library a talk by the Ulysesses Motorcycle Club (Growing old disgracefully!)
Meet and talk to the members and enjoy some light refreshments 1.30-2.30pm.



November 27th Introduction to E-Bay Class 6-7pm Mill Park Library.

Christmas Events coming soon to a Library near you...................................

October Events at Yarra Plenty Library

Refugee Week

Come to a talk at Watsonia Library, Thursday 26th October, 7-8PM.
What is it like to be a refugee?
Malyun Ahmed from the North Eastern Region Migrant Resource Centre speaks about:
Her work with refugees.
Needs and issues confronted by refugees.
Her own experience as a refugee.

Bookings essential.

MANGA Workshops and Graphic Novel Launch.

Manga is a popular style of comic art that has been a huge part of the publishing industry in Japan since the 1950s.

Come along to our exciting Manga workshop run by OzTaKU, the hottest new talent in Manga in Australia.
Learn about the history, see techniques demonstrated and learn how to draw your own.

We will also be launching our new range of graphic novels at these workshops.
Bookings at each Branch Library.
Saturday 28th October, Rosanna Library, 1-2.30pm.
Monday 30th October, Mill Park Library, 4-5.30pm.
Tuesday 31st October, Lalor Library, 4-5.30pm.
Thursday 2nd November, Watsonia Library, 4-5.30pm
Tuesday 21st November, Diamond Valley Library, 4-5.30pm.

Ulysses Motorbike Club Talk.

Friday 27th October, Mill Park Library, 1.30-2pm.
Talk to Club members and learn how to participate.
Their motto is..... 'Grow old disgracefully'
Afternoon tea provided.

Explore Melbourne Online at Eltham Library.

Thursday 26th October, 10.30-12 noon.
Be a tourist in your 'Home Town' and find those hidden places and Events.
Hands on practice!
Bookings essential, places limited!

Fire Information in Victoria

Useful websites for the latest FIRE information in Victoria.

The Country Fire Authority.
Advice on current fires, Fire restrictions, community planning and awareness. Total Fire Ban Days.

The Department of Sustainability and Environment.

This page gives information on the status of current fire activity on public land, excellent maps, personnel (including recruitment) involved at each fire. Also information about prescribed burning and fuel reduction burning.

Melbourne Metropolitan Fire Brigade also offers important Fire Safety information for the Community.

History of the Melbourne Cup and Fashions

Diamond Valley Library, Monday 30th October, 1.30-3pm Rosanna Library, Thursday, 2nd November, 7-8.30pm.
Mill Park Library, Monday 6th November, 1-2.30pm.

Come and meet collector Ann Dixon. Learn the history of the Melbourne Cup.
View the selection of fashion 1860s to 1980s.

Try on a hat from days gone by.

Seniors Week Oct 1-7, 2006.

Active Ageing
The theme for Seniors Week at Diamond Valley and Eltham Libraries.
"Strengthen through exercise" will be presented by Pam Fallon at Diamond Valley Library on Tuesday 3rd October, 10.30-11.30am.
Give-aways, free passes and discount vouchers and light refreshments.

"Confident Living for Older Victorians", will be presented by Crime Prevention Officer, Senior Constable Robyn Murphy at Diamond Valley Library, Wednesday 4th October, 2-3pm. Light refreshments provided.

Vic Walk by Eltham and Environs Walking Group. Helen will talk about walks in local and country areas, morning walks and day trips at Eltham Library, Wednesday 4th October, 1.30-2.30pm.

"Confident Living for Older Victorians", will be presented by Crime Prevention Officer, Senior Constable Robyn Murphy at Eltham Library, Thursday 5th October, 2-3pm. Light refreshments provided.

Come along, have a cuppa, meet new friends.

For extra Seniors Week activities around Melbourne, see the WEBSITE

Your Memories of Heidelberg WANTED!

Do you, your family or friends have reminiscences of life in early Heidelberg?

What was it like growing up? Are there any particular buildings or places that have special memories?
Share your stories and memories with Ivanhoe Library's Local History Collection.
We welcome drawings, poems and prose.

Hand your stories in at Ivanhoe Library.
Send via email to:
atomiett@yprl.vic.gov.au
or post to
Ivanhoe Library, Bag 50, Ivanhoe, 3079.

New Books, Vegetables, Mooncakes & Lanterns

Saturday 23rd, September.

Come and join us for Morning tea and view our New Books from 10-11am at Rosanna Library.


Thursday 28th September.

Get some tips and ideas on Growing Vegetables in Small Spaces at Rosanna Library, 1.30-3pm, , with special Guest, Anna from Bulleen Art and Garden.

Mill Park Library is celebrating the Mooncake Festival with a lantern-making workshop 1-3pm.

Animalia, September School Holiday Program! Click the Library for contact details.

Tuesday, 19th September.
Craft Activities and Games, 10-11am, Mill Park Library.

Wednesday 20th, September.
Games Galore, 10-12noon, Ivanhoe Library (Online, XBox, karaoke)
CARP Productions presents and animal show, 11-12 noon, Lalor Library.
StoryTime, 6.30-7.30pm Rosanna Library.

Thursday, 21st September.
The Diamonte Mini Circus, 10.30-11.30am, Diamond Valley Library.

Friday 22nd September.
Don't move Puppet Theatre, 10.30-11.30am, Eltham Library.

Monday 25th September.
Don't Move Puppet Theatre, 10.30-11.30am, Thomastown Library. Don't Move Puppet Theatre, 2-3pm, Watsonia Library
7UP Club, 4-5pm, Diamond Valley Library.

Tuesday 26th September
Disco with the Funky Monkeys, 10-11am, Mill Park Library.

Wednesday 27th September.
Ivanhoe Library Karaoke Idol, 11-12 noon.
Diamonte Mini Circus, 1.30-2.30pm, Rosanna Library.

Thursday 28th September.
Dinosaur Drawing Workshop, 10.30-12 noon, Ivanhoe Library.
Bush Babies, 10.30-11.30am, Diamond Valley Library.
Animal Storytime, 11-12 noon, Eltham Library.
Storytime, listening to Animalia, 2-3pm, Lalor Library.

Join the Library Online!

Join the Library from HOME or anywhere in the World!

Please use this Form to become a NEW library member.
Once you have received your library card, you will be able to place a hold on library items and have access to a wealth of Online Databases only available to library members.

Databases include:

A&NZ Reference Centre (Access to full text newspaper articles and magazines including Wheels, Womens Weekly, The Australian, The Age, Herald Sun, Australian Gourmet Traveller, Australian PC User).

Health and Wellness Resource Centre (Reliable medical information).

Grove Music Online.

Encyclopedia Britannica (Offering 3 levels of a user friendly interface)

Safari E-Books (latest IT related Books).

Global Books in Print.

XRefer Plus (A full Online Reference Library)


The Users Services link allows you to Renew your items online, change your email address and review Your Library card.

Everyone Welcome!

Fly Fishing at your Library

Mill Park Library will host a presentation by the Northern Suburbs Fly Fishing Club on Saturday 2nd September, 11am - 12 noon.

Diamond Valley Library, Sunday, 10th September, 2-3pm.

Eltham Library, Saturday, 14th September, 2-3pm.

Learn from experienced fishermen.
Rods available on the day for you to try on day.
All Welcome!

National simultaneous storytime - 1st September 2006

What is it
The Australian Library and Information Association organises National Simultaneous Storytime in September every year
The aim is to promote the value of reading and literacy,promote an Australian writer and publisher, and
promote storytime activities in public libraries around the country.

This year the story book to be read is "Goodnight, me" by Andrew dado and Emma Quay

Story reading times @ Yarra Plenty Libraries
Diamond Valley Library
10am (as part of Tiny tots storytime session)

Eltham Library
11am ( as part of Preschool Storytime)

Ivanhoe Library
Session held externally and booked out

Rosanna Library
11am Come dressed in your pyjamas for a special Preschool Storytime.
Cr Peter Kenna will read the story.

Watsonia Library
11am
Bookings essential

Mill Park Library
10:30am Storytime
Mayor Cr John Fry will read "Good night me"

Lalor Library
10am (as part of Storytime session)

Thomastown Library
Session held externally and booked out

Bookmobile
11am - Olympic Village, Moresby Court, West Heidelberg

Victorian Premier's Literary Awards

Log onto the State Library of Victoria's Website to see the Shortlists.
Members of the public are welcome to attend the Awards Presentation Dinner, Monday, 4th September, 2006.

Awards include:

The Vance Palmer Prize for Fiction
The Nettie Palmer Prize for Non-fiction
The Prize for Young Adult Fiction
The Prize for an Unpublished Manuscript by an Emerging Victorian Writer
The CJ Dennis Prize for Poetry
The Louis Esson Prize for Drama
The Alfred Deakin Prize for an Essay Advancing Public Debate
The Village Roadshow Prize for Screen Writing
The Grollo Ruzzene Foundation Prize for Writing about Italians in Australia
The John Curtin Prize for Journalism
The Prize for Indigenous Writing
The Prize for a First Book of History

LEARN TO BLOG!

Come along to Thomastown Library on Monday 21st August, 7-8pm.
Discover the World of Blogs, learn how to set up your own blog!
All you need is: Your own email address
Some basic computer skills.
A Desire to create your own space online!!
Bookings essential, Phone Thomastown Library on: 9464 1864

AUGUST Activities at Yarra Plenty!

Childrens Book Week : the Journey begins 19-25th August.
Check out a host of activities.

See What's On at all our Branch Libraries.

Meet the Authors:
Craig Sherbourne author of Hoi Polloi, Ivanhoe Library, 6.30-8pm. Tuesday, August 15th.
Geoff Kelly, author and illustrator at Eltham Library, 4-5pm, Wednesday, August 16th.
Monica McInerney author of Odd one out, Eltham Library, 7-8.30pm, Thursday, August 24th. (wear something pink and enjoy a pink champagne, music and door prizes)
Anna Glynn author of Strange memories, Eltham Library, 2-3.30pm, Saturday, August 26th.
Starting your Family History, Mill Park Library, 10.30-11.30am, Wednesday 23rd August.
Local Family History talk with John Waghorn, 10-12 noon, Mill Park Library, 30th August.
Family History Fest : connecting people past and present : session 2
Search micofiche records Online, Diamond Valley Library, 2-3pm, Wednesday, 30th August.

Check out the world of Blogs! Thomastown Library, 7-8pm, Monday 21st August.

For a Full List of Activities check out the Events Calendar.

Winter in Banyule!!

Lots of Cultural activities and Events, things to do in your Libraries celebrating Winter in Banyule.
Download the Full Program from Banyule City Council's Website.
Winter Kids Artyfarty: Woops around Banyule Big Book. Through story telling and art activities, children will hear about the fun loving character 'Woops'. Help create and contribute toward the giant book which will tour around Banyule. Watsonia Library, Thursday 10th August, 4-5pm. Ivanhoe Library, Friday 11th August, 4-5pm. Rosanna Library Sat. 19th August, 11-12 noon.
Friday 11th August, 11-12 noon enjoy a mosaic demonstration at Watsonia Library with Julie from Greenhills Living and Learning Centre. Bookings: 9435 2397

Whats New!!

Click on our What's New! link to see the latest additions to our Catalogue.
LATEST CDs.
News and tributes (Futureheads)
Casino twilight dogs (Youth Group)
Real Life (Evermore)
Over the Hedge (Music from the Motion Picture)
The Mystery (Tommy Emmanuel)
Pick a weapon (Coup)
Stadium Arcadium (Red Hot Chilli Peppers)
Poseidon (Music from the Motion Picture)
Taking the Long Way (Dixie Chicks)
The Doors concerto (Nigel Kennedy)
LATEST DVDs
Peking to Paris
Care Bears
Jarhead
Lost in Space
Midsomer Murders
The OC (first season)

Census 2006

Tuesday 8th August is Census Night!
Did you know you can fill out your census form ONLINE?
Why not take part in the Census Time Capsule, it's your chance to be remembered in 99 years!
The Australian Bureau of Statistics Website is a great resource for economic indicators, Consumer Price Index, Online Australian Year Books and much more!
Themes cover selected information on a range of topics: Economy, Environment & Energy, Industry, People and Regional statistics.
Social Trends
on Population Statistics, employment arrangements, life expectancy, housing and lifestyle and more!
Links to International Agencies from every country in the World.

Child Safety Online

NetSmartz Workshop is an interactive, educational safety resource to teach kids and teens how to stay safer on the Internet. NetSmartz combines the newest technologies available and the most current information to create high-impact educational activities that are well received by even the most tech-savvy kids.
There is an excellent article on Social networking sites (MySpace, Blogs) with safety tips for parents.

Cybersmart Kids Online is a fun interactive site teaching Internet safety with Games and Cool sites.



The Australian Government site Net Alert
offers practical advice on Internet safety, parental control and filters for the protection of children, students and families.

Lets Hear some Feedback??? Click on the comments under this post.

Register or Change your EMAIL address

Please follow this link and use the form if you would like to register your email address on your library card.
By registering your email address, you will be notified of any holds available via email.

You will get a courtesy reminder when the items on your card are about to become overdue .

This form can also be used to notify us that you have changed your email address.

World eBook Fair, July 4th - August 4th.

Visit the World eBook Fair, the largest showcase for eBooks, eBook publishers, editors, and others working in the new world of eBooks.

Free Access to the public from July 4th to August 4th, in celebration of Project Gutenberg's 35th Birthday

The World eBook Fair, Project Gutenberg, and World eBook Library, along with our other participants, join together to assist in bringing many entire libraries to the general public and to encourage ever increasing levels of literacy and reading.

Browse the COLLECTION]
84 Childrens Books

Audio Books in MP3 format, download and listen. Includes Shakespeares sonnets, Mark Twain, Beatrix Potter.

eMovies include documentaries, archival War footage, vintage cartoons, computer animation and interviews.

Many, many more Topics covered, check out the World Book Fair Collections for yourself!

What do Apple stores and libraries have in common?

Peter Bohlin, is a principal of Bohlin Cywinski Jackson, Architects. They are the creators and designers of the Apple stores around the world which are opening at a rate of one every nine days. Bohlin believes there are parallels between these stores and libraries. Both need transparency – making the inside visible outside, and the outside visible inside. He talked about making places that are magic to be in, places where people love to be. The Apple store on 5th Avenue in New York is open 24/7 and it does look magical, with its glass walls soaring up above street level, floating over the underground store with the suspended Apple hanging in the space. See more pictures at http://www.apple.com/retail/fifthavenue/gallery/

Peter Bohlin showed us the way they prototype the stores, building them in warehouses and trying them out before fitting out the actual sites. He talked about how they make learning fun and irresistible, with stores holding classes on different topics such as how to use your iPod; or where people can come with their ideas and get help to enhance their Mac projects, with teams of “Creatives” teaching one-on-one how to re-touch photos, compose music and make movies. It’s a whole different take on retail stores, especially as Apple could simply sell their products online if they chose. But instead they are creating these beautiful new stores in prime real estate as physical places for people to come and interact; and enable them to learn. Just like what libraries want to do!

School Holidays and Winter in Melbourne!

What to do? Where to go? Visit the Library's Events Calendar

Try some Magic, Mystery and mayhem or an Open Craft Activity Session.

Venture into Melbourne and check out Winter School Holidays in the City links.
Take a ride on the FREE City Circle tram or the New FREE BUS!

Fun in the City is not just for the younger ones. Enjoy Winter in the City Events.
The Picasso Exhibition is set to bring the crowds to the Great Indoors of the National Gallery of Victoria, International.

FREE wireless Internet!

Your Library Service is constantly improving access to its wide range of Services either within our various branch libraries or Online access from your Home or Business.
Our NEWEST innovation is to Offer FREE wireless connection from Ivanhoe Library.
Just bring in your laptop (or Blackberry) and connect to the Internet.

Wireless Internet has been a great success, with varied and enthusiastic use by students, teachers, lecturers, groups using wireless whilst meeting, tutors assisting their students and business people using the unlimited time in our Welcoming environment and making use of our Meeting Room.

Yarra Plenty Regional Library Service connects people with the library here and beyond!

Library Week Approaches!

The aim of Library and Information Week is to communicate and promote the tremendous contribution libraries and information services and information professionals make to educate, inform and entertain all Australians. This nation-wide week combines activities, events, contests, product launches and presentations at national, state and local levels.
In 2006, the Australian Library and Information Association is linking people with ideas @your library^®.

Our Community Calendar lists ALL our Events during Library Week 22-28th May.

Law Week Looms!

21st-27th May is Law Week in Melbourne

Problems with noisy dogs? overhanging branches, custody issues, power of attorney, wills?
The Internet is an excellent starting point for Law resources. Come along to Mill Park and Lalor Library and see how easy it is to get started in your research.
Giveaways and useful handouts.
Consult the Yarra Plenty Calendar for our sessions during Law Week.

Travel information.

check out Travel Times on Melbourne's Highways and Byways! at VICROADS.









OR....Take Public Transport?

The Melbourne Metlink website is a wealth of information, including timetables and service alterations!

Publishing a Blog with Blogger

Do you want to try your own BLOG? This E-book on our Safari Database may be of help.

ProQuest Information and Learning - Visual Quick Project: Publishing a Blog with Blogger